Social

From Wuhan, Coco Gauff sends prayers to home state Florida during Hurricane Milton

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 10, 2024
Social

Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and more get a boost from 'very passionate' Chinese fans

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 09, 2024
Social

Jasmine Paolini surprises fan in Wuhan after defeating China’s own Yuan Yue

By Liya Davidov Oct 09, 2024
Social

Stefanos Tsitsipas criticizes Fergus Murphy for having "no clue about tennis", chair umpire tells him to "watch more matches"

By Baseline Staff Oct 09, 2024
Social

"It was staged very well": Novak Djokovic goes full tourist in fun Shanghai photo shoot

By Baseline Staff Oct 08, 2024
Social

Aryna Sabalenka welcomed back to Wuhan like an “old friend” as she eyes year-end No. 1 ranking

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 08, 2024
Social

Manual scoreboards, falling panels and bleachers: More rain in Shanghai forces less-than-ideal indoor conditions

By Liya Davidov Oct 07, 2024
Social

Jannik Sinner shuts down wedding rumors with funny joke in Shanghai press conference

By Baseline Staff Oct 07, 2024
Social

PHOTOS: Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula step out in style for Wuhan player party

By Baseline Staff Oct 07, 2024
Social

Barbora Krejcikova still loves LEGO ahead of 'fresh' week in Wuhan

By Stephanie Livaudais Oct 06, 2024
Social

From Wuhan, Coco Gauff sends prayers to home state Florida during Hurricane Milton

The American has been sharing information all week long on her social media pages, before the destructive storm made landfall overnight in the States.

ByStephanie Livaudais

Published Oct 10, 2024

WUHAN, China—Half a world away from her friends and family, Coco Gauff is keeping her home state close to her heart after a devastating hurricane made landfall overnight in Florida.

“I've been following the news,” Gauff told press on Thursday after her third-round victory over Marta Kostyuk at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. “I live in South Florida, so it's not hitting too hard there. There are some tornadoes going on.

“I'm thinking a lot about those in central and the west coast of Florida. I know it's supposed to hit hard, especially in the Tampa area.”

Having previously reached as high as a Category 5 as it approached the state, Hurricane Milton slammed into Florida’s west coast as a Category 3 storm, bringing with it 100 mph (160 kph) winds, an outbreak of deadly tornadoes and storm surge topping 10 feet (3 meters) forecast in parts of the state.

Advertising

“I'm thinking a lot about those in central and the west coast of Florida," Gauff told press after her third-round win in Wuhan.

“I'm thinking a lot about those in central and the west coast of Florida," Gauff told press after her third-round win in Wuhan.

© 2024 Getty Images

Read More: Coco Gauff confirms grip changes in the works with new coach Matt Daly in Wuhan

Coming less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene also struck the region, the destructive storm comes as another blow for the American’s weather battered home state.

But in true Gauff style, the 20-year-old has been using her platform all week to urge fellow Floridians to take shelter and hunker down safely as the storm passes, as well as sharing information for “all types of shelters, pets, those with special needs, everything” on her social media pages.

Advertising

“Floridians are pretty hurricane strong,” she acknowledged. “My grandparents sat through a lot of hurricanes, (but) we live in the south side of Florida, so we will be okay…

“Hopefully those who were ordered to evacuate evacuated. I know Floridians are very stubborn people, so I know there are some people that are staying.

“I just pray there are no lives lost. Obviously I don't want anybody's home to be destroyed. At the end of the day it's property and can be replaceable.”

Into the quarterfinals in Wuhan, No. 4 seed Gauff will face Magda Linette on Friday.